The European Citizens’ Initiative: Potentials and limits of a new element in the EU decision-making system
In issue 1/2012 of integration Rudolf Hrbek, Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of the IEP, gives an overview of previous efforts to strengthen the role of citizens. This article, after describing the genesis of this treaty provision and explaining the procedural rules for using the ECI, discusses effects which can be expected from the new instrument. Its direct effect will be rather limited due to the highly formalised and not very user-friendly procedural rules, as well as the fact that established strong organisations rather than citizens will get involved.
The article of Rudolf Hrbek in integration is available on the journal’s website.